A team of senior police officers from Greece are in Devon to find out how to improve their policing methods. The initiative is part of a government-funded exchange programme which saw police from Devon and Cornwall visit Zakynthos last year. It is hoped that by sharing experiences and swapping policing methods both forces will cut crime and anti social behaviour in their coastal resorts. The Greek officers are spending four days in Torbay. During their stay the officers, who are from Zakynthos, Heraklion and the Dodecanese directorates, are taking part in night patrols, meeting with pub licensees, street pastors and CCTV operators as well.
'Picking up ideas'
Ch Insp Adrian Leisk said: "Greece is understandably an attractive destination for young British tourists but unfortunately a minority of these visitors take with them a culture of binge drinking and anti social behaviour.
"Sadly this culture can lead to young UK nationals becoming victims, as well as perpetrators, of crime while abroad.
"We have successfully reduced this type of behaviour in Torbay and are now sharing our ideas and demonstrating some of our methods and practices as well as picking up ideas from the Greek police."
Torbay is known as the English Riviera and is a popular tourist destination.
Dr David Landsman, British Ambassador to Greece, said the idea behind the initiative was to be proactive rather than reactive.
"We don't want just to wait for problems to arise but to help maintain and spread best practice and co-operation," he said.
"Both countries have a shared interest in ensuring that young tourists enjoy safe holidays and respect the communities around them."
06.03.2010
